Orthopaedics is an important component of clinical practice and education in this subject is important. In order to discover how best to teach it a questionnaire was presented to undergraduates at Bristol University at the conclusion of their course. From their replies a course length of 6 weeks with maximum clinical contact, small groups and minimum number of lectures is recommended. Orthopaedic courses nationally have also been analysed and found to rely overmuch upon lectures, to have student group which are too large and to combine orthopaedics with other courses too frequently. It is concluded that undergraduate and postgraduate medical training should be integrated and that 1 clinical year should contain courses which would be optional.

Undergraduate teaching of orthopaedic surgery

Summary

The present system of undergraduate education in trauma has evolved over the past 15 years. As with orthopaedic teaching in Oxford (Dickson, Houghton & Duthie, 1979) an intensive 4-week course is provided for small groups of students. The subject is covered by personal teaching illustrated by practical problems together with a basis of seminars and tutorials.

Undergraduate education in the accident unit

Musculoskeletal disease in the community is common, and much of it responds to early diagnosis and preventive care. At the same time, modern orthopaedics, like so many specialist subjects, has increased significantly in depth and detail pari passu with its advances. It therefore becomes all the more important in desiging undergraduate teaching programmes in these specialist subjects to provide a comprehensive basic training programme that is flexible enough to move with the specialty. The orthopaedic undergraduate education programme in Oxford meets these requirements, embraces all aspects of the subject, and enables the medical student to examine the musculoskeletal system with confidence to interpret his findings, without making him an embryo specialist.

R B Duthie

Papers

Orthopaedic undergraduate education